CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – A pair of UVA Health Women’s Heart specialists said too often women ignore the warning signs or fail to make their health a priority.
“Women may tend to have a tendency to just not think that will get better you know kind of sweep things under the rug,” said UVA Health Doctor Nisha Hosadurg.
When it comes to women’s heart health, Hosadurg said symptoms and concerns are too often ignored.
“It’s often young women have a lot of other priorities. They’re often caretakers for both their children and their parents, and they have a lot of other things going on and so they’re often thinking about other people and not themselves,” said UVA Health Doctor Kelly Wingerter.
Wingenter said she sees many women whose personal health is the last thing on their mind.
“I think first and foremost, things should not be ignored, and you should certainly advocate for having yourself evaluated and assessed,” Wingerter said.
Because of this, both doctors want women to know the warning signs of heart disease.
“Women not only faced the traditional risk factors that men do that increase their risk for cardiovascular disease, but there could be adverse pregnancy complications that can actually increase cardiovascular risk, Supreaclampsia, high blood pressure,” Wingerter said.
While pregnancy adds to the risk for heart disease, both Wingerter and Hosadurg said some factors are universal.
“As far as risk factors shared by both men and women go so diabetes condition can certainly be a risk among both men and women, as well as obesity,” Hosadurg said.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is vital to protecting one’s heart health.
“One of the big things we talked to everyone about is getting an adequate amount of exercise, that sedentary lifestyle does lead to increased cardiovascular risk and to diabetes and obesity,” Wingerter said.
Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.
Copyright 2025 WVIR. All rights reserved.